St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-11
THE BOLD FIRE LADDY.
He Yields a Wonderful Social and Po-
litical Influence Among the People
of the Black Hills.
If You Are Member of the Fire Depart
ment You Gan Get the Best of
Everything.
The Importance and Rapidly Grow
ing Influence of the Dakota
School of Mines.
An Eastern Expert Fails to Capture
Rare Relfc--A Geological
Survey.
Special to the Globe.

Special to the Globe.
LEAD CITY, Dak.. April 10.-A notable
feature of Black Hills life is the rank held
in public esteem by firemen'S organizations
Whether this is owing to the exceeding
perils of fire in new, slight built towns, or
to the superabu ndance of prowess and
MUSCLE or the lack of other social and
public organizations. or to whatever cause,
the fact is that the fire department is
usually the pet and champion of its COM
munity. The esprit du corps of the COM
panies is heightened by the keen spirit of
rivalry that exists between the towns, and
the fire department is often the expression
of municipal defiance and hostility. 1t is,
besides, often almost the only social
neucleus for young men of the town; its
assembly rooms the only public resort out
side of saloons. Politically and socially,
it wieldS power here unequaled by any
thing | have known since the palmy
days of Tweed and Big g." in
New York. In this county fire
tax is levied the proceeds being
pro-rated among the organizations, so that
these little frontier towns support a paid
fire Observation-Disclosures Black Hills
"
efficiency results, as is seen in actual service
and competitive tests. Two years ago
made-up team of the Hills carried off the
championship of the West in the firemen's
tournament at Sioux Falls. going 500 miles,
crossing the great Sioux reservation OH foot
and camping ell route. There are now
eight towns in the Hills that support fire
departments, and the Black Hills Firemen's
association has lately been organized for all
these. The delegate convention of this
body was held this week at this place dead
Clty)-the fire department OF which, re-
cruited from the hardy miners of the Home
stake, ranks in the van of all local organlza-
tions. The day closed with an elaborate
banquet, rendered to the visiting
and home firemen by the citizens,
thus atfording your correspondent a
chance to see the fremen in de-
Lucrative capacity and under the severer
test of festivity. 1t is but fair to say that
he stood both tests we'll. In fact the busi-
ness meeting and blowout were as cred
table to the morale of the laddieS as the
banquet was to the cuisine and enterprise
OF the town, and it is confessed that no
such spread was ever befole laid in the
Black Hills. There was plenty of good
speech making, singing, toasts and con-
VITALITY; but did not hear all immodest
jest or story. decolette song or double
entendre-a stag party' tit for parlor
and mixed assembly. No spirituous or
vinous liquors were served, and not case
of excess was obtrusive. In speech, dress,
department and countenance the 800 guests
would have adorned any state capital in the
country, though l fear they will take this
as rather an equivocal compliment. On this
occasion. also. Lead City raised 50, 500 to
secure and provide for the fremens tourna-
nent in July. outbidding Deadwood and all
the other towns.